HC: Stop all Blue Whale-like games

The High Court on Monday asked the concerned authorities to stop the Blue Whale Challenge, an online 'game' that incites players to kill themselves. The bench of Justice Moinul Hossian Chowdhury and Justice ABM Hasan passed the order after hearing a writ petition which sought its order to stop the 'game'. The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain within four weeks why necessary measures should not be taken to stop such dangerous games. The home secretary, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and police chief and other concerned authorities were made respondents to the rule. Besides, the court also directed authorities concerned to stop all kinds of special packages of all mobile phone operators from 12am to 6pm. Humayun Kabir Pallob, a lawyer of writ petitioners, said the court also directed secretary for Posts and Telecommunications Ministry and chairman of BTRC to stop gateway links to these types of games which allegedly provoke players to commit suicide. On Thursday, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Md Kawser, Advocate Nur Alam Siddique and Subrata Barman filed the writ petition with the High Court.